We got a new kitten, so our very affectionate, needy older cat would have a buddy. Unforunately, he seems depressed instead. They have stopped fighting, but now all the old guy does is sleep. He has also peed on the floor a couple times. A BIG NO NO! I want to get him back to his old self.
2007-02-24 04:42:19 · 11 answers · asked by wondermermaid 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I've had lits of experience with these situations. Make sure to give him lots and lots of extra love and attention... without the kitten in the room. This cat obviously feels just like a child feels when a new sibling comes along. Praise him for everything he does right (ex. use the litterbox, eat cat food, etc.) even if he already knows how to do these daily routine things. This will make him feel special, and serve as a role model for the kitten.
2007-02-24 06:11:35 · answer #1 · answered by rosemary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is completely normal behavior. I had a 2 year old cat in high school and then got a 6 week old female kitten so that he would have a friend (my mom now has both cats). We also moved about a month after we got the kitten. He went through the same thing. I still remember the day that they finally became "friends" (about a week after the move), and now they're completely inseparable. Your older cat is suffering from a lot of stress right now. Just give it some time and once things are settled down from the move, I'm sure everything will be fine.
2016-03-28 22:42:24 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in your shoes. The best advice I can give you is to not force the older cat to interact with the kitten. Find a special place (in my house it's the bed for one cat and the family room for the other) where your older cat can have special time alone with you. If you had a female and brought another female into the house you've got a mess on your hands. Female cats love to attack each other. If your older cat is male, then you're in better shape...they do snap out of it.
I would also suggest that you spend time with your older cat where you groom him, feed him little bits of cat treats, dangle a "birdie" for him, or get him moving again with his favorite kind of play. Once he remembers how much fun you were he'll get out of his funk. He's going to take his cues from you. Either you're still "his person" or you're not. Sounds a lot like a 2 year old when the new baby comes home, doesn't it? And just like that 2 year old, his can forget all of his good potty training when he sees "the enemy" getting away with mess-making. You just have to love him all the more and give him lots of special time alone with you.
2007-02-24 05:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by GenevievesMom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My friend had a year old kitten and then got a 6 week of so kitten. She kept them both apart for a while(the kitten in the bedroom and the other the roam of the house). She introduced the kitten a little bit more and more to the other cat. Now they're friends!! I think you should give alot of attention to the older one now so he she won't feel like you like the kitten better. Hope this works. Good luck!
2007-02-24 04:49:25 · answer #4 · answered by Judith H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right before Christmas this very same thing happened too me! We have a 3 year old maine coon and he just seemed really bored and lonely so we found him a buddy, it worked out really well at times but after a while our kitty started hiding and mooping all the time. after about 2 months It got so bad that he finally stopped eatting and started loosing ALOT of fur. Then I finally realized the buddy HAD to go... sadly enough we had to find another home for the buddy. but our kitty was back to normal in a couple of weeks. From now on no more kitty friends
2007-02-24 04:53:18 · answer #5 · answered by sugarsweeteegrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a sign to let you know your older cat is very very jealous of the new kitten. Show your older cat lots of love and attention , even when you are interacting with your new kitten,, this way the older cat knows he has nothing to be jealous of and he will stop being rebellious, like peeing on the floor. Best of luck with your new addition.
2007-02-24 04:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by nc_debi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you giving him the attention he probably needs? Are you playing with him as much? You should give him extra attention for a little while, and see what happens. If he keeps sleeping and doing 'no-no's after a couple days of special attention, take him to the vet. And soon.
2007-02-24 05:03:56 · answer #7 · answered by lemon<33 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should learn to balance the love you give both of them. Don't make the other one feel left out, so that they will get along because they get the same attention. Give time for both of them. May things work out! Good Luck!
2007-02-24 04:49:37 · answer #8 · answered by Joey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you did this older cat NO FAVOR in getting him a "friend". I have a cat just lie this who does go into his depressions---mostly when he wants to go to the groomer. But, I wouldn't dream of bringing another cat into my home with him. He KNOWS he's my best friend, and he never leaves my side. Personally, if I were you, and if you love your older kitty and want him happy again, please find another loving home for the younger one---this is not working, and a cat CAN grieve themselves to death.
2007-02-24 04:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by sharon w 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, your older cat may feel that you like the other cat better. Even though you may treat them the same, the older cat may feel offended, I mean it is his turf. It might make him miss being young again.
2007-02-24 04:56:20 · answer #10 · answered by AClockworkOrange 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋